Li Keqiang: China to forge ahead with fight against poverty

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03:53

‍China is firmly committed to the fight against poverty and will provide strong support for rural development so as for the country to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Tuesday.

Li made the remarks as he presented the annual government work report to lawmakers at the opening meeting of the second session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, underway in Beijing from March 5 to 15.

Fight against poverty to continue

The central government will specially allocate 126 billion yuan (18.7 billion U.S. dollars) to fund poverty alleviation efforts in 2019, an increase of 18.9 percent from last year. These additional funds will be mainly used in areas of extreme poverty, according to a draft budget report to be submitted to the annual session of the national legislature.

Li noted other forms of financial support will continue to be channeled toward impoverished areas, especially those identified as affected by extreme poverty.

The Chinese premier also called on officials to step up poverty alleviation efforts by developing local industries and boosting employment, education, health care and social security.

China will continue to advance the trial integration of various funds for rural development in poor counties, ensure that provincial-level governments assume overall responsibility, and promote targeted investment and use of poverty alleviation funds, the draft budget report said.

Providing support for rural development

Li said China will support the improvement of rural environments with focus on infrastructure construction, garbage and sewage treatment, and agricultural production waste recycling. The country will press ahead with its "toilet revolution" and improve the living conditions of villagers.

China will refine government reward and subsidy mechanisms for rural public works projects, and support efforts to bring the "beautiful countryside" initiative to the next level and the growth of collective village economies.

China will strengthen the capacity of rural community-level organizations to provide guarantees for rural development, the draft budget report said.

01:09

A new type of urbanization

China will advance the development of a new type of urbanization, Li said.

The central government will earmark 30 billion yuan to support the process of granting urban residency to people with rural household registration living in urban areas, according to the draft budget report.

China will further improve transfer payment methods, ensure a reasonable sharing of costs in the residency-granting process, and ensure that basic public services are accessible to all permanent residents.